Angels rookie Morin takes wild ride to big leagues

ANAHEIM – Michael Morin landed at Newark Liberty International Airport at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, fully believing he was going to be late for the biggest workday of his life.

In 90 minutes, a baseball game was beginning in the Bronx, and Morin, the Angels’ newest call-up in an attempt to buoy a beleaguered bullpen, was supposed to play in it.

And he got there in time after all, just after 7:15, thanks to a Yankee-hat-wearing taxi driver who sped through the city faster than Morin thought possible.

“That dude needs to be in NASCAR or something,” Morin said Monday. “That New York City cab driver, he was cruising.”

Morin didn’t end up pitching Sunday, as starter Garrett Richards worked deep into the game, but he called the experience of walking onto the Yankee Stadium field “simply surreal.”

“Looking back on it, I’m kind of glad I didn’t have too much time,” Morin said. “I walked in, said hello to (Manager Mike) Scioscia and (pitching coach Mike) Butcher, put my stuff on, played catch real quick and it was time to go. I didn’t have any time to sit in my locker and think about it, and that was probably good.”

Morin, who turns 23 Saturday, put himself on the Angels’ prospect map with a 1.93 ERA at two levels last year and an impressive changeup. The right-hander opened this season with five scoreless innings in Double-A, then got called up to Triple-A Salt Lake, where he had one bad outing followed by three good ones and the unexpected call to the majors.

He hasn’t pitched in a game since April 21.

“He’s got the potential to be a back-end pitcher in a bullpen,” Scioscia said Monday. “Hopefully we’ll start that journey for him and it’ll be beneficial for him and us.”

Morin’s best friend is another top Angels prospect, Double-A right-hander Mark Sappington. Both hailing from Kansas City, the two met on their reporting flight to rookie ball in Utah following the 2012 draft and have roomed together at most minor-league stops since.

Sappington, a starter, remains in Double-A Arkansas for the time being.

“When I found out, I called my mom, my dad, my girlfriend, and then Sapp,” Morin said. “You have so many emotions, so many thoughts that are indescribable, but being able to share that moment with him over the phone was pretty incredible.”

HAMILTON PROGRESSES

Injured slugger Josh Hamilton (torn left thumb ligament) has had the cast on his left hand removed in favor of a small black splint.

He took one-handed swings Monday and is expected to resume standard baseball activities next week. The initial 6-8 week projection would have him returning between May 23 and June 6, but the Angels are hoping he can beat that.

“He’s a little ahead of the curve, so that’s encouraging,” Scioscia said. “But there’s still work to do.”

NOTES

The Angels’ flight home from New York arrived at 4 a.m. Monday and most players got home around 6 a.m. They were allowed to arrive at the ballpark later than usual in the afternoon. Said Scioscia of the quick turnaround: “When you win, it’s a little better.”…

Right fielder Kole Calhoun (sprained right ankle) played catch with physical therapist Bernard Li before Monday’s game and is walking without a boot but remains weeks away from returning. …

The Angels are expecting hitting coach Don Baylor to make an appearance at Angel Stadium before Tuesday’s game against the Indians. Baylor broke his right femur catching the ceremonial first pitch on opening day.